Help! I need OA (but it's not what you think)

I am in need of support group!  Not Overeaters Anonymous (although on this blog I’ve talked about the similarities I’ve encountered on my weight loss journey and my writing journey several times) but in this case I am in need of the wisdom and courage of my fellow writers, and a place where we can share.  

Do any of you know where there is a meeting of Over-Editing Anonymous?

Some will hate me when I say this, but I love to revise. As long as I have words on the page, I can usually sit my butt down and work -- sometimes for hours.  I think this has to do with my fixer personality.  I am a problem-solver.  Give me something to work with and my brain spins into gear.  

Give me the blank page, or the need to complete a first draft and... well, it’s not a pretty picture.

You may not think this is a problem, but as with any obsession habit, it certainly can be.  For instance, I recently have taken to writing shorts and children’s picture books just so it’s easier for me to revise.  Every sentence, phrase and even word -- sometimes multiple times.  And then, I still have trouble stopping. 

Every day I learn some nugget of wisdom on blogs, newsletters, chats and workshops regarding the craft of writing.   I am constantly learning, which is a good thing, but then I feel the need to apply this new nugget.  I am not necessarily looking for perfection but rather reading more work and saying, it could be better.  That’s likely another piece of my personality, the never-quite-good-enough piece. How many revision are enough?  When do you call it quits and submit?

I started a revision of my first manuscript, a 100,000 word novel and I knew going in that I wanted to edit and rewrite, applying much of the wisdom I’ve learned since writing this story.  Some scenes are turning out better, but yesterday, after spending several hours on a rewrite the day before, I read the original scene and realized it was better than the new scene, needing only minor tweaking. 

So you see it can be a big problem.  I need OA.  Or at the very least a workshop geared to knowing when to quit revising and submit. 

For now, I’ve found deadlines are my coping mechanism tool.  Real ones, like a contest deadline, or my own imaginary deadlines.  I call it  -  The Suck it Up, and Submit, even though it’s only been through 14 revisions. Or another favorite self-imposed deadline -  Step Away From the Keyboard and Send it Already.

Another strategy I’ve learned but don’t apply enough is printing out the draft, revising on paper.  Part of this is the waste of ink and paper, but seriously I need to tell myself, that’s better than the more precious commodity, my work hours and possibly my sanity. Reading from paper, helps me to step back and look at the words at a distance -- more objectively.  If I simply open the document on the computer I start to revise and revise and revise without reading the whole scene, or chapter or piece.

So for now, I’ll keep working my program toward recovery.

Maybe some of you have other wiser ideas or advise on how to deal with the over-editing dilemma.  I am all ears and ready to try almost anything.  Feel free to comment.

Romance Writers Summer Camp

I haven't posted in a while and my last post was a recipe which means either I was stuck or like a few weeks ago sick.  But then things in my household really went to hell.  I hung on but blog posts were the last thing on my mind.

Pulling myself out of the debris, I got ready for a guest post that was lined up for today.  But the way things have been going I should have known.  So instead of a guest author post here are some testimonials regarding the upcoming Marketing for Romance Writers Summer Camp.


Opportunity Knocks at Marketing For Romance Writers Summer Camp. Open the door to: SEEK, TEACH, LEARN, SHARE, SUCCEED...and discover MFRW'S MOTTO of Achievement

For those of you looking to learn any kind of marketing for your romance writing stop by their site, join their free summer camp, read these testimonials from satisfied authors.

Testimonials for Marketing For Romance Writers:


Authors, if you want a site that will give you USEFUL information, from how to make a movie trailer to promoting your book at the local library, join MFRW (Marketing for Romance Writers). There is no promo allowed on this site, so you won't have to wade through endless chatter to get a bit of useful information. Other writers post, leave comments, and share their wealth of information. I'm so pleased to have found this group! Naomi Bellina  http://www.naomibellina.com/

MFRW (Marketing for Romance Writers)  helped me discover new and unique ways to market my work and my brand to my readers. Savannah Chase http://savannahchase.com/

I think this group is so fantastic I recommend it regular to every new writer I meet when they ask me about being a writer. After producing a book, the next biggest task is marketing it and this group overflows with ideas, contacts, and support. I was first published five years ago and I'm still learning every day. Andrea Jackson http://www.pbdiva.com/

MFRW (Marketing for Romance Writers) Twitter Workshop. Romance Junkies made it again this year in the Writer's Digest 101 best websites for writers and one of the categories they list for us is “On twitter” If it wasn’t for your workshop on twitter RJ would not be tweeting ;-) So thanks again for the great twitter workshop! 

Cat Brown  http://www.romancejunkies.com

When I first published and learned I had to market on the internet, I was totally lost. Fortunately, I was directed to Marketing For Romance Writers as a place to go for advice and to learn the ropes. It’s the best advice I’ve received in my writing career. Everyone at MFRW has been helpful and sharing, and I am so grateful to have found this valuable resource and these wonderful people. R. Ann Siracusa, author of romantic suspense series http://www.rannsiracusa.com/books

Join FREE- http://is.gd/mfrwgroup FREE MFRW Summer Camp July 14-15

Feel free to comment on anything, it's that kind of week.

Tasty Tuesday

Quick and tasty Southwest Corn Chowder

I am down and out with the flu, but the blogs and the mom must go on so here is an easy recipe that I can prepare even when my head is swimming and every inch of me aches. The most difficult thing will be opening the cans.  Anyway, enough boo-hooing.

I have had so many positive comments on this tasty dish, that I now dare to bring it to events.

So if you are working through April’s Bootcamp, a Fast Draft, or Editing in a Month, or are just plain busy, throw this all in the crock pot and surprise your family that it isn’t pizza again tonight.

Recipe:

2 square packages of V8 Southwest Corn Chowder (tetra packs) in the soup aisle

1 can Rotel diced tomatoes, you pick the heat, I use mild (don’t drain) 

   or 1 cup salsa

1 can creamed corn, (don’t drain)

1 cup frozen corn, or a can of corn - drained

1 cup of nacho cheese sauce or queso, canned or jar

Put it all in a crockpot, give it a stir and set on high if you need it in a couple hours, low if you have longer.

We like our soup thick, but if you prefer it a thinner consistency you can add some canned broth - chicken or vegetable.

I have even added cooked and cut up chicken, or a large can of chunked white meat chicken, to add more protein.

Serve with tortilla chips and a dollop of sour cream and/or guacamole.  Enjoy.

Feel free to comment and add your simple recipes or cures for the flu.

How Do You Critique?

Seriously.  I’m asking.  

Next week, I am taking a giant leap in my writing journey and joining a critique group.       

And I am scared to death. 

This is not an online critique group.  Did I mention I’m an introvert?  

This is a meet-in-person, local group. Did I mention I have less than stellar self-esteem?  

Luckily, I live in a town called Niceville, so I’m hopeful the other members remember this, and all play nice.  Did I mention I have never met any them, or even had any kind of email contact other than this past week?  What was I thinking?

Most successful writers, editors and even publishers recommend having a good critique group to help edit your work. So I jumped.  And two of my new critique group members have already emailed me their pages. (I’m still working up to sending mine.) 

So I have their pages.  Now what?  

I have no idea what kind of critique they are looking for.  Maybe they just want reassurance.  A  pat on the back.  A “Great work. Keep going.” comment. For me, (remember, scared-to-death) I’d be happy with giving and getting that.

But mentally, I’m ready for more.  Emotionally, I’m not so sure. 

So this week I began compiling a checklist.  Did I mention my love of lists? 

And if I happen to crash and burn, as a result of this leap, at least I’ll have a useful checklist.

Anyway, here it is, so far.  

Questions to ask, and answer when reading the first 10 pages of my work, my critique member’s work, and even when reading published works.

1.     Was I hooked and why or why not?
2.     Is it clear who the protagonist is?
3.     Do I care about this protagonist?
4.     Are the other characters interesting?
5.     Is the action clear?  Easy to follow?  Does it move too quickly, or too slowly?
6.     Is the action mostly shown.  Is the balance of showing vs telling okay?
7.     Is the POV clear and consistent?
8.     Is the genre clear?
9.     What is the tone?  The mood?
10.   Is the setting clear?
11.   Are there enough grounding details.  A variety of senses used?
12.   Is the dialogue clear as to who’s speaking.  Enough action with dialogue? 
13.   Too much dialogue?
14.   Is there too much backstory?
15.   Is a theme hinted at?
16.   Is the author’s voice clear?
17.   Does the plot so far seem original?
18.   Does it feel like the story is starting in the right place?
19.   Is there enough introspection and connection with the protagonist?  Too much?
20.   Is the language appropriate for the intended audience age group?

And finally, 

     21.  Do I wish I had more pages?

Maybe you found this list useful.   And if you have any other suggestions, or additions to the list, feel free to comment.

Let's Get Productive

More, and more, writers are having to produce.  I mean really produce.  Lots, and lots, and lots, of words all strung together in meaningful, emotional, marketable sentences, paragraphs, chapters, all culminating into the next must-read book, in the next must-read series.

Agent Rachelle Gardner’s Blog last week How to Make a Living as a Writer, Part One was all about Volume.  And I quote,

"The writers who are doing it full time are able to do it because they have a large volume of product out there..."

So more than ever we must sit our butts in the chair and produce.  

                                          

                                      Here are 16  tips to help you do just that.  

Many you probably know, but here there once again, as a reminder to get those words down.

1. Set goals.  Not just the once year goals, or monthly but every day identify want it is you want to accomplish today.  Write it down and stick to it.   
2. Time yourself.  Decide on a specific time for yourself to sit and write, say 30 minutes and set a timer and off you go.  After the set time rest a bit. Then set the timer again and go.
3. Don’t check email during work times.  It pulls you into a non-action mood.
4. Turn off the social networks - Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, everything and focus on the page.
5. Get a motivation buddy.  Some one who is on your side spurring you on to make your goals a reality.
6. Track yourself, either by crossing off your daily goals, charts of time spent writing, etc.
7. Make yourself accountable to someone else, your motivation buddy, your writing or critique group and post it each day to your buddy or group.
8. Get up and move.  Get the blood circulating and pumping to your brain. Stretch. Jog in place.  Do push ups. Downward facing dog.
9. Create everyday.
10. Wake up early.
11. Realize it will never be perfect.  But it can be great.
12. Identify and face any fears that may be getting in the way.
13. Become mindful especially of time wasters.
14. Give yourself a break.
15. Then just do it.
16. And finally Reward yourself. Have a list of fun-to-you rewards. Not just big ones for when the book sells, but little ones for tasks accomplished weekly, monthly whatever you need.  After all when the book sells then we’ll party! 

                     Feel Free comment and/or post any other productivity enhancing ideas.

Writer - Stars in Movie

I watched Young Adult, this past weekend, starring Charlize Theron for one reason, because the main character is a writer.

In case you haven’t seen it, Young Adult is a black comedy with Charlize Theron staring as a YA author (actually she is slightly more than a ghost writer for a popular YA series that is about to end).  Unable to come up with the last book in the series, she returns to her hometown to try and win back her high school boyfriend. Problem is, he's married, has a kid and is quite content with his life. As she throws back whiskey and flails at love, she becomes closer with a former high school geek played by Patton Oswalt. 

The movie was entertaining, with an offbeat ending, but it got me thinking about how many of my favorite films have writers as a main character - a lot.

Here are a few of my favorites.

*Midnight in Paris, starring Owen Wilson as screen writer, turned novelist (I absolutely love his line about the negative ions in the shower fueling his creativity.

*Alex and Emma, starring Owen’s brother Luke as the writer (movie loosely based on the true love story of Fyodor Dostoevsky writing his novel The Gambler.)

*Stranger Than Fiction, starring Will Ferrel as the character in Emma Thompson’s book she’s writing

*The Muse, starring Albert Brooks searching for inspiration

*The Hours, starring Nicole Kidman as Virginia Woolf

*Hannah and her Sisters, starring Dianne Wiest as failed-actress-turned-writer

*Adaptation, starring Nicolas Cage, as twin brother writers

*Leaving Las Vegas, Nicholas Cage again as a tormented writer

*Wonder Boys, starring Michael Douglas as a writer struggling with epic writer’s block

*The Player, starring Tim Robbins playing a screen writer in Hollywood

Feel free to comment on any of these, and/or add some of your own favorite writer/movies to the list.

Collecting Words

I love words.  And as Steve Jobs so eloquently put it...

“the only way to do great work is to love what you do.  If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking.  Don’t settle.  As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”  (Steve Jobs)

No surprise that I am working my journey as a writer. 

But regardless, I have begun collecting words. 

“What do you read, my lord?” 

“Words, words, words.” (Hamlet, Act II, ii) 

In my reading, or researching, or cyber-stalking, networking, I, all too often, happen upon those perfect words, all strung together like an exquisite pearl necklace.  And a small bell rings in my soul.  

So, I have started to save words.  You know, those quotable quotes that pop up on Facebook, Pinterest, blogs, fortune cookies, and even in email signature.  Like...

“Be the change you want to see in the world”  (Ghandi)

So in addition to my First Line collection, I have begun another collection -- of words.  Some can be found on my Pinterest board. On my website, and on my computer desktop.  All of them add a little inspiration, community and philosophy to my day. Like...

“...What disturbed him was the discovery that in sensibly ordering his affairs he had got out of step, and not into step, with Life.”  

(Dashiell Hammett)

And in my quest toward minimalism, okay to be honest, I am nowhere close to minimalism, but I am working on reducing my stuff, yet I can still satisfy my collection gene.  The saving of written quotes does not add to more stuff.  And to quote one of our own...

“it will all work out.”  (President Gordon B. Hinckley)

So here are a few more of my favorite quotes. 

“The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd.  The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before.”  (Albert Einstein)

If the track is tough and the hill is rough, THINKING you can just ain’t enough! 

(from The Little Blue Engine by Shel Silverstein)

“Stuart rose from the ditch, climbed into his car, and started up the road that led toward the north…. As he peeked ahead into the great land that stretched before him, the way seemed long. But the sky was bright, and he somehow felt he was headed in  

the right direction.”(from Stuart Little by E.B. White)

"Now I say that with cruelty and oppression it is everybody’s business to interfere when they see it." 

(from Black Beauty  by Anna Sewell)

"Start where you are.  Use what you have. Do what you can." (Arthur Ashe)

“Housekeeping ain’t no joke.” (Little Women by Louissa May Alcott)

So be sure when you step.  Step with care and great tact and remember that LIfe's a Great Balancing Act. 

(Oh the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss)

Uncle Edisto always said, “It takes courage to look life in the eye and say yes to…the messy glory.” (from Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles)

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”  (Matthew 7:7)

So I pulled on my chain mail.  

“I thought that was for slaying dragons, not for talking to girls,” said Anibelly, who had appeared behind me.    

“It’s the same thing,” I said. 

(from Alvin-Ho: Allergic To Birthday Parties, Science Projects, and Other Man-Made Casastrophes by Lenore Look)

Calories (noun):  tiny creatures that live in your closet and sew your clothes a little bit tighter every night.  (Anonymous)

Do you have a favorite quote?  Please share.  

Or is there something you collect that doesn’t take up space?  Feel free to tell about it.